Reproductive Rights Advocates Decry Contraception Move

Reproductive rights advocates in New York on Friday blasted the Trump administration’s decision to loosen the requirement that employers provide contraceptives based on religious concerns.

“The Trump administration reached a new low by pushing basic women’s health care out of reach. Contraception is essential to our ability to reach our goals at work, at home, and at school,” said Robin Chappelle Golston, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts. “Putting up barriers to health care that 9 out of 10 women rely on is a prescription for a public health disaster. Women will not forgive or forget this assault on our health and rights.”

The move could apply to a range of employers across the country. The mandate for contraceptive coverage is part of the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans in Congress so far have failed to repeal or at the very least overhaul on narrow grounds.

“The Trump administration just took direct aim at birth control coverage for 62 million women,” said Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “This is an unacceptable attack on basic health care that the vast majority of women rely on. With this rule in place, any employer could decide that their employees no longer have health insurance coverage for birth control.”

Cuomo has held multiple meetings with Democrats on sides of the conflict to discuss unity efforts as well. Meanwhile, the tug of war continues as mainline Democrats have sought potential primary challenges to IDC members, including the conference’s leader, Jeff Klein.